Art and apparatus for lighting



Ust. 16521923.

- W. T. TABB ART AND APPARATS rjoR LIGHTING Filed May v5, 1917 nf, s.

wvamoz om T- |44, $51, LA atto/mamas' A Patented @ein i6, i923 "WARNER T. TABB, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSGNOR T@ T13 le SAFETY G E LGHTNG COMPANY, A CRPOBATEN @F N 3W.

ART APPTS EQk-, LEGETLNG.

Application filed May 5,

T0 all whom z'z may concern.'

Be it known that ll, VARNER T. Thee, a citizen of the `Vnitcd States, and a resident ot the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, county ot' New York, and State of `New York, have invented an improvement in the Art and Apparatus for Lighting, of which the following is a specication.

ThisY invention relates to an art and apparatus for lighting. and in regard to certain more specific features thereof, for the lighting of buoys and the like. @ne of the objects thereof is to provide practical means of simple construction for generating a source of hght. Another object is to provide means of the above type of reliablev action and peculiarly adapted for use in isolated relations, such as lighting buoys. Another object is to provide means of the above type which shall be durable and automatic in action and will not require attention for long periods of time. Other objects are to provide a simple and practical art to generate light and more particularly in isolated relations. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. v

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction` combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and in the several steps and relation of such steps, all as will be hereinafter illustratively described, and the scope of the application of which will be pointed out in the following claims.

The accon'ipanying drawing is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of one of various possible embodiments of this invention.

Referring now to this drawing in detail, there is shown at 1 "the body or float portion of a buoy which iis preferably formed of sheet metal .and conta-ins in the present instance a combustible gas vcontined under pressure. This buoy .is .so proportioned as not only to aord the `desired floating capacity but to maintain in 'an upright position the light 'support 2 having at its upper end a suitable annular lens 3.

Mounted upon the upper surface of the float or container 1 is a casing 4 in which are mounted the controlling and operating .mechanisms to be hereinafter described. The gas contained under pressure in casing 1 passes through port 5 into the ressure regulator and reducer 13 by which-1t is fed .to bring this valve against its seat.

at the desired uniform pressure to the easing 4f. rllhe regulating device may be of any suitable well known torni, the details of construction not being here shown as they form in themselves no part of the present invention. F rom the' pressure regulatin device 13, the gas passes through port 5 and passage 6 to p'ort Y and thence into casing t. The dow through passage 6 may be controlled as by the adjustable needle valve 8. From casing d the gas passes through a port 9 and passage 10 controlled in like manner by a needle valve 11. From this passage a tube 12 leads as indicated by the arrows to the Bunsen burner 14 mounted on a suitable base 13" on the casing The air for combustion in the Bunsen burner is ted inwardly through a conduit 15 extending through the walls of the light support 2.

Positioned in the easing 4 is a diaphragm 16 urged downwardly as by the coil spring 17 and subjected on its lower side to the upward pressure of' the accumulating gas. Extending downwardly from this diaphragm is a rod 18 provided with pins 19 `and 2() adapted alternatively to engagea narrow thin flat spring 21. This spring is snapped into slightly bowed position in grooves in abutments 22 and 23 formed in iid the walls of the casing, and in the position shown in full lines, is bowed downwardly.

When, however, the diaphragm is raised byM the accumulated gas to such an extent that the pin 2O presses firmly against the lower surface of this spring 21, it will be snapped into the upwardly bowed position indicated in dotted lines. It is to be understood that this spring is narrow and does not prevent the entry of gas into the upper portion of the casin vPivotaldy mounted at 24 on the abutment 25 is a lever 26 provided with a pair of pins 27 closely engaging the spring 21. The lower end of this leve-r is formed into a. valve 28 mounted above the open end of the passage 6. In the position shown, this valve permits free entry of gas into the casing, but upon the diaphragm 16 being raised to a predetermined extent by the accumulated gas and the spring 21 being snapped upwardly as above described, the lever 26 will be roc'llxd supply of gas is thus out olf and is not rec through the tube 12 to allow the spring l to force the diaphragm downwardly and snap the spring 21 into its full line osition.

In one wall of the casing 4 in suitable insulation' 29 are a pair of conductors 30 and v31. These conductors are connected with thin flat springs 32 and 33 which tend to spring u wardly and bring ytheir free ends, indicate at 34, 'into en agement with the conductors 35 and 36. hese springs with the arts in the position shown, however, are hel downwardly by the insulating pins 37 on the lever 26 in such manner that the spring 32 is in electrical connection with the conductor 36 and the spring 33 1n like connection with a conductor 38.

Connected across the conductors 30and 31 is a storage battery 39 and it is to be noted that by the intermittent action of the diaphragm 16 with associated parts, the terminals of this battery are alternatively connected with conductors 35 and 36 or with conductors 36 and 38.

Positioned in the range of greatest heat from the Bunsen burner 14 are a plurality of thermo-electric couples 39.. These couples, which may be of any desired numbei", are formed in the well known way by the junction of two dissimilar metals, and itis to 'be understood that by the term thermo-electric couple is meant a device comprising a junction of dissimilar metals or` materials adapted to cause the iow of electric current upon being connected in a circuit and subjected at their junction to heat.

Assuming now that each of these couples comprises a member 40 of one metal and a member 41 of dissimilar metal, the couples are connected in series as shown, and their unheated ends are positioned in the cold air inlet of the Bunsen burner as shown, in order to give a greater dierence of temperature and a correspondingly enhanced therino-electric eiect. f

From one terminal of this thermo-electric pile a conductor 42 is led directly to the conductor 36. From the remaining terminal a conductor 43 is led to the conductor 35, and a branch conductor 44 leads through an incandescent lamp 45 preferably positioned substantially at the optical center of the annular prismatic lens 3. Continuing from' this lamp, a conductor 46 is led to the conductor or contact 38.

Considering now the action of this apparatus, the burner 14 is continuously supplied with combustible gas under a reduced uniform pressure from the container, although if desired, this may be intermittently cut down by a clockwork-controlled valve or other means. The heat of this burner is utilized to act on the thermo-electric pile above described, this action being enhanced by the automatic cooling of the opposite terminals of each couple. In this manner, a thermoelectric current is generated, and it may be noted that by the term thermo-electric ciirrent is meant any electric current enerated by means of a thermo-electric pie. Vith the parts in the position shown, this current is led through the lamp 45 in series with the storage battery 39 and the polarity of the parts is such that both the thermo-electric pile and the battery tend to supply the lamp .with current. The current generated in the pile is thus leddirectly through the lamp. When theI springs 32 and 33, however, are permitted to snap upwardly into connection with the conductors 35 and 36, the lamp circuit is 'broken and the battery, which is of lower voltage than the thermo-electric pile, is stored by the continuingcurrent of the latter. This current generated by the pile, is thus not led directly through the lamp but indirectly by means of the storage battery. When the arts reassume the position indicated in ull lines, the battery and pile in series feed the lamp.

By the above action, the desired intermittent flashing of the lamp is gained and yet current generated by the pile is economically used, as even during the dark period of the lamp it is stored-in the battery 39. By suitable adjustment of the pants such as the needle valve 8, a suitable regulation of this period may be gained, and by proper positioniiig of the pins 19 and 20, the desired relation of duration of light and dark periods is achieved. It will also be seen that the entire apparatus isf thoroughly automatic in action and the parts of such simple construction and reliable operation that the apparatus may be depended upon for continuous action throughout an indefinite length of time.

It will thus be seen that there is provided apparatus in which certain of the objects of this invention are achieved and that the same is well adapted to meet the hardest requirements of practical use. It will also be seen that the remaining objects are fulfilled in the above described art of lighting which as to its broader features might well be carried on with different types of apparatus.

'As various possible embodiments might be made of the mechanical featuresof this invention and as various changes might be made in the precise method of carrying on the above art, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and 'not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a vessel for storing a fluid under pressure, an electric switch, a regulating valve connected to said vessel through slowly progressive movement between two redetermined limits, and means operative y said diaphragm at the end of its movement for operatmg said switch.

2, lln buoy construction, in combination, a Heat having gas stored therein under pressure, a thermo-electric couple supported by said float, means adapted to burn gas from said oat adjacent said couple, a lamp supported by said Heat, means adapted to lead current generatedby said couple through said lamp, and means operated by said gas on its passage to said gas-burning means for intermittent y interrupting the current to said lamp.

3. In buoy construction, in combination, a Heating buoy, an electric lamp exposed from said buoy, a storage battery, means for containing a fluid under pressure, means adapted to lead current from said battery through said lamp, and means operated by said fluid for intermittently interrupting the How of current through said lamp, said battery and said several means being'mounted on and floated b said buoy.

4i. In uoy construction, in combination, a oat having gas Stored therein under pressure, a thermo-electric couple supported by said float, means adapted to burn gas from said float adjacent said couple, a storage batte supported by said tioat, a lamp supporte by said doat, and means adapted alternatively to connect said couple, battery and lamp in series and t0 connect said battery and couple in series excluding said lamp, said means being operated by said as.

5. ln combination, means adapte to store gas under pressure,y an electric switch, and means actuated by said gas as it escapes from said storing` means adapted intermittently to operate said switch.

t. l'n combination, means adapted to store gase under pressure, an electric switch, means actuated by said gas as it escapes from said storing means adapted intermittently to operate said switch, means adapted to burn said gas, a thermo-electric couple adjacent said combustion, a storage battery, and connections between said couple and said battery controlled by said switch.

7. ln apparat-us of the class described, in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, a thermo-electric couple,

means adapted to burn gas from said stor` age means and adjacent said couple, an electric lamp, a switch adapted to connect said lamp to said couple, and means operated by said gas as it passesrom said storing means to said gas-burning means .for intermittently operating said switch.

8. 'In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to' store gas under pressure, a thermo-electric couple, means adapted to burn gas from said storage means and adjacent said couple, an electric lamp, a storage battery, a switch adapted in one position to permit said couple to supply current to ysaidbattery and in another position to permit said battery to supply current to Said lamp, and means actu` ated by said gas as it escapes from said storing means adapted alternately to place said switch in said two positions.

9. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, a thermo-electric couple, means adapted to burn gas from said storage means and adjacent said couple, an electric. lamp, a storage battery, a switch adapted in one position to connect' said couple, said battery and said lamp in series and in another osition to connect said couple and said atter in parallel, and means actuated by sai gas as it escapes from said storing means adapted to alternately place said switch in said two positions.

10. ln apparatus of the class described,

in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, a thermo-electric couple, means adapted toburn gas from said storage means and adjacent said couple, an electric lamp, a regulating valve having a diaphragm for governing the pressure of the gas supplied to said gas-burning means, said diaphragm being subjected by said gas as it escapes to movement between two predeterminable limits, a switch adapted to connect said lamp to said couple, and connections between said diaphragm and said switch whereby the latter is intermittently operated.

11. ln apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, a -thermoelectric couple, means adapted to burn gas from said storage means and adjacent said couple, a chamber having a diaphragm, said cham- -ber being interposed between said burning means and said storage means and connected to the latter through a val-ve, an electric lamp, a switch adapted to connect said lamp to said couple, means connecting said diaphragm to said valve whereby said valve controls the flow intermittently of gas to said chamber to extend said diaphragm intermittently, and means for operating said switch from said diaphragm.

12. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, an electric switch, a cham ber having a diaphragm, said chamber being connected to said storage means through a valve and having means to permit gas to escape from said chamber, means connecting said diaphragm to said valve whereby said valve is closed upon said diaphragm being extended and opened upon said diaphragm returning to normal, and means for operating said switch from said diaphragm.

liti@ 13. ln apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to storegas under pressure, a movable switch member, a chamber having a diaphragm capalble of movement between two predeterminable limits, said chamber being connected to said storage means through a valve and having means to permit gas to escape therefrom, means connecting said diaphragm to said valve whereby said valve is closed upon said diaphragm being extended and opened upon said Idiaphragm returning to normal, and connections between said diaphra and said switch member adapted to give said switch member a rapid movement as said diaphragm approaches either of said limits of movement.

14. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted to store gas under pressure, amovable switch member," a 20 chamber having a v diaphragm capable of movement betweentwo predeterminaible blimits, said chamber; being connected to said storage means through a valve and having means to permit 'gas to escape there- 2e from, a spring member connected to said diaphragm to be stressed: thereby and adapted to partake of a rapid movement` upon a predetermined stressing movement of said diaphragm, and means connecting 30 said valve and said switch member to said spring member to be rapidly operated thereby.A-

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 2nd day of E5 May, 1917. l

WARNER fr. TABB. 

